Vote now to send two of the Cadence Kona Challenge athletes to Ironman Lake Placid
By Brad Culp
May 7, 2008 -- Voting is now open for Triathlete's Cadence Kona Challenge. Any triathletemag.com reader is able to vote for the two athletes that they feel are most worthy of a comp entry to Ironman Lake Placid, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Ford Ironman World Championship. To vote, please send the names of two of the athletes to triathletemagcontest@gmail.com. Please only vote once. Before you cast your vote, read the bios below and check out the last six issues of Triathlete to find the two athletes whom you think deserve it most. Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. on June 15.
The athletes
Of the 100 athletes hand-picked to go through the qualification process at Cadence’s Manhattan facility, here are the final six—all of whom are dedicated, focused athletes who have proven their ability to meet and overcome personal challenges.
Kate Conklin, age 32: Nebraska’s Conklin, a former collegiate swimmer and CPA, suffers from a rare blood disorder called erythromelalgia in which blood vessels become blocked and inflamed, producing burning pain and redness. Because of her condition, Conklin is forced to ride and run specially modified sandals. Still, despite her condition, Conklin has reframed the pain and hopes to motivate others through her participation and success in the sport.
Mary Lou Hoffman, age 44: Hoffman, a project manager from New York, hasn’t always been an athlete. In fact, over the past four years she has lost more than 100 pounds and successfully battled kidney cancer while crafting her body into that of an athlete. Although she has only tackled sprint-distance events, Hoffman is determined not to squander the second chance life has afforded her. As such, she is motivated to continue her transformation to a healthy way of living.
Elizabeth Wittmaack, age 26: A spirited former high-school basketball player from New Jersey, Wittmack raced the challenging Ironman Lake Placid, in upstate New York, in 2007, her first year in the sport, and went an impressive 11:23:35. Now Wittmack, who works in medical sales, hopes to get to Kona.
Scott Sharpe, age 35: Scott Sharpe is a lab technician from Kingston, Ontario, Canada. After recovering from a punishing battle with Crohn’s disease in 2002—a condition he now has been able to bring under control—Sharpe, inspired by a co-worker, was persuaded to give multisport a shot on a used road bike in 2006. Now, with four triathlons and numerous running races to his credit, he’s keen to tackle the Ironman.
James Pearson, age 30: A Royal Navy mine-clearance diving officer, Pearson is currently stationed in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Wendy. Pearson is heading into his second season as a triathlete and has raced one half-Ironman-distance race. After tragically losing his infant daughter to a rare heart defect in 2006, Pearson, with his wife’s blessing, turned to triathlon to help find focus and reassert control over his life.
Randy Christofferson, age 50: This former American Express exec and president of First USA Bank from Delaware is now an independent consultant who has been racing triathlons—along with his son—for six years. Christofferson has three Ironman races to his credit. His ultimate triathlon goal is to go low to sub-10 hours in Kona.